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Piri-Piri Drumsticks with Blue Cheese Dip

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Nando’s Peri-Peri Sauce is my go-to brand (both spellings are correct!). For the blue cheese dip, the ultimate is Cabrales, an artisanal blue from Asturias, Spain. And for even more flavor, I’m replacing celery sticks with fresh fennel. The only prep work—still fast and easy—is the marinade for the drumsticks. Since they need time to absorb all the spices, I like to do this early in the day.

Ingredients

For the drumsticks

  • 2 tablespoons pimentón (smoked Spanish paprika) 
  • 2 teaspoons coarse kosher or sea salt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard 
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground fennel seed
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
  • 12 meaty chicken drumsticks
  • Extra virgin olive oil 
  • Large fennel bulb

For the glaze

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup Nando’s Peri-Peri Sauce or your favorite hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the dip

  • 1/2 cup crumbled Cabrales or other artisanal blue cheese 
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream (optional) 
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Step One

Combine the pimentón and other spices in a small bowl. Place the drumsticks in a large bowl (or a large resealable plastic bag) and coat them with olive oil. Add the spice mixture and use your hands to distribute it evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.

Step Two

To cook, preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then top with a wire rack. Oil the rack and arrange the drumsticks on it. Bake until cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes, turning once or twice with tongs. (Alternatively, you can grill the drumsticks.) 

Step Three

While the chicken is cooking, make the dip and the glaze. For the dip, mash the blue cheese in a bowl with a fork. Whisk in the sour cream, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce. If desired, thin with the milk or cream. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with olive oil.

Step Four

For the glaze, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the piri-piri sauce and lemon juice and bring to a simmer. When the drumsticks are cooked through, remove from the oven, brush on all sides with the glaze, and return to the oven for 5 minutes to set. 

Step Five

To plate, trim the fennel bulb, reserving the feathery fronds. Cut in half lengthwise, remove the core, and then slice each half into small wedges. Arrange them on a platter with the drumsticks, garnish with the fronds, and serve with the dip.

Yields 4 appetizers or 2 hearty main dish servings. ​

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Olive Oil and Almond Flour

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Watch T. J. Robinson as he makes these chocolate chip cookies with olive oil and almond flour. These cookies are best enjoyed the day they are baked. Almond meal can be used in place of blanched almond flour.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 cup golden monk fruit sweetener
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups blanched almond flour
  • 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips of choice 2/3 cup toasted pecans
  • 2 tablespoons of unsweetened, finely shredded coconut

Recipe Notes

Almond meal can be used in place of blanched almond flour. Dough can be refrigerated prior to baking for 30 minutes to prevent the cookies from spreading too much. Brown sugar or coconut sugar can be used in place of monk fruit sweetener.

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 3

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter, olive oil, and golden monk fruit sweetener.

Step 4

Add the vanilla and eggs, mixing until incorporated.

Step 5

Mix in the baking soda and salt. Add the almond flour, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut with a wooden spoon.

Step 6

Form the dough into tablespoon rounds and place on the lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart.

Step 7

Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until golden brown around edges.

Step 8

Cool and enjoy! These cookies are best enjoyed the day they are baked.

Recipe adapted from Meaningful Eats.

Lemony Greek-Style Potato Wedges

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

One of my Merry Band of Tasters highly recommends these crisp potato wedges. If desired, substitute Dijon for the yellow mustard, or chopped fresh rosemary for the dried oregano. Parboiling the potatoes (especially with the added alkalinity of baking soda) contributes to their crispiness.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into wedges
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided use, plus coarse salt for serving
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 4 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 heaping tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Parboil the potatoes: Bring a large pot of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the baking soda to a boil over high heat. Add the potato wedges. Set a timer for 2 minutes. In the meantime, position a large colander in the kitchen sink. After 2 minutes, drain the potatoes in the colander. Rinse with cold water and drain again.

Step 2

Make the marinade: In a bowl large enough to hold the potatoes, combine the remaining teaspoon of salt with the garlic, mustard, lemon juice, oregano, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Add the potato wedges and stir gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

When ready to roast the potatoes, preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the potato wedges in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Cover tightly with foil and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 50 minutes. Remove the foil. Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the potato wedges are nicely browned. Season with salt. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature with lemon wedges, if desired.

Serves 4 to 6 — Recipe adapted from itstodiefor.ca

Prawns with Zingy Avocado Dip

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Shrimp cocktail gets a much-needed makeover! Make the dip just before serving.

Ingredients

  • 2 fresh jalapeños, stemmed and seeded
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 lime, rind finely grated, juiced
  • 1/2 cup at-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea), or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1 1/2 pounds cooked and chilled jumbo prawns or shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Edible flowers, such as nasturtiums, for serving (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Remove the stem, seeds, and veins, from the jalapeños. Finely dice one jalapeño. Set aside. Coarsely chop the remaining jalapeño and place in a blender with the avocado, sour cream, lime rind, 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice, parsley, mint, cilantro, garlic, salt, and ground cumin.

Step 2

With the motor running, add the olive oil and water in a slow, steady stream until smooth and well combined, scraping sides of blender once. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt if desired. Transfer to a serving bowl. Add 2 tablespoons red onion and most of the reserved diced jalapeño. Stir to combine. Sprinkle with the remaining onion and jalapeño.

Step 3

Arrange the prawns on a serving platter. Scatter with the edible flowers, if using. Serve with the dip.

Serves 4 to 6 as an appetizer — Recipe adapted from taste.com.au